Another Benedetti Blog and Floating Woman Returns

My mom has joined me in the blogging world. She is using her blog both therapeutically and as a way to keep loved ones informed as she begins her battle with cancer. If you would like to check it out or know someone who could benefit from her insights visithttp://www.dancinbenedettis.blogspot.com/.

Also, in case you are interested, the third annual Floating Woman gathering is about to take place. (Get it? Instead of Burning Man.. its Floating Woman...) All of the proceeds from our various events will either go to support our friend Kat as she faces her battle with breast cancer or to a breast cancer nonprofit of her choosing. To find out more about our annual event check out http://www.floatingwoman.com/.

At the end of next week my family will take off to join my parents for the 4th of July and then head up to Seattle to support my mother at her doc appointments, then we head to floating woman to spend time with 100 of our closest friends (and their closest friends, and their closest friends..) We will head back to Seattle on the 15th and my mother will have her mastectomy on the 16th. July is bound to be a roller coaster, but with the support of our good friends I know we can turn this experience into something positive.

Thankful

Tonight I am thankful.

I am thankful for my mother who supports my dreams and encourages me to keep working on them even when I am tired and want to give up.

I am thankful for my partner, Sethi Jacobson, who works hard right beside me and reminds me why I am doing what I am.

I am thankful for my best friend, Amie Fisher, who loves me even after finding out about and having to deal with all my quirks and baggage.

I am thankful for my father, who has always protected me and makes sure I have what I need, even when it means sacrificing or putting himself in harm's way.

I am thankful for my "little" sister Reagen, who makes sure I remember how to laugh, have fun, and dork out, no matter how hard things get.

I am thankful for my older sister Winda who, without knowing it, has taught me how to work for what I really want.

I am thankful for my yoga teacher, Nadine Sims, who has taught me how to find peace and follow a path that will never lead me astray.

I am thankful for Phoenix, my oldest daughter, who saved my life.

I am thankful for Rain, my youngest daughter, whose embrace holds me together.

I am thankful for Eli, my soul sister, who reminds me to be true to myself (never ashamed).

I am thankful for The Village Preschool families, and for everyone who supports True North including the readership (and their amazingly sweet and sincere comments),the advertisers (who are all amazing people working from their hearts and souls to serve the community), Jane Johnson (my incredible director of art/graphic designer), and Erin, Stacey, and Mindi(sales reps). I can't even express how touched I am by the support all of these people provide. It is truly mind blowing.

And I am oh, so thankful for my husband,James, who has taught me what being in love is all about.

Things are hard right now. There is no getting around it. Things are hard and frightening. But in those quiet moments, that scare me the most, remembering all that I have to be thankful for sooths me. Much like I sooth my children when they wake from a midnight's bad dream.

Silence

Not 20 minutes ago I found out that my mother has breast cancer...

I don't know what to say.

It's so quiet here.